Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Why swim in cold water?

"To build up my cold water tolerance" is usually what I tell people when they ask me why I swim without a wetsuit.

But that doesn't really answer the question.

I guess when I started in September I just wanted a challenge, the thought of the upcoming long, wet winter locked into a pool seemed far too dreary.

I am one of those people that needs a reason. The idea of my first 10km race kept me swimming last winter, when I didn't know if I could work up to the distance required. I still have that, of course, I didn't complete the Bay; but I needed to keep it fresh, find something new to inspire me and keep it fun.

The idea of swimming skin through a Canadian winter seemed like fun. And it has been. Each time I have walked into the cold ocean and immersed myself I have felt more and more confident about it.

When I wonder if something is possible, I generally end up trying it, one way or another. I figure if someone else has done it, then why can't I?

So now I'm having some crazy thoughts about a new challenge. Nothing concrete yet, just some hazy disconnected images and ideas that are floating out there in the ether.

Well, it is a new year. Why not celebrate it by doing something that scares the crap out of me?